Multiple sites of Māori political participation

Abstract

This article examines what might be included in a definition of Māori political participation that moves beyond a predominant focus on voting in New Zealand general elections. I suggest that the proliferation of Māori governance organisations in recent years means that Māori participation within these organisations must also be considered as part of wider political participation. In addition, I argue that Māori engagement with local authorities deserves further close examination to explore the multiple ways in which political participation occurs. Using a broader definition of Māori political participation and highlighting its many facets indicate that Māori engage in more varied ways in New Zealand politics than previously recognised.在新西兰，普选的投票是关注的焦点，毛利的政治参与不在其内。本文讨论了毛利政治参与的界定还可以包括哪些内容。作者认为，毛利治理组织近些年的兴旺发达说明毛利人的参与这类组织，也应被视为更广泛的政治参与之一部分。另外，毛利人与地方当局的交往也值得密切的关注，需要探讨其政治参与的多重方式。广义地理解毛利人的政治参与，关注其多面多相，可以让我们看到，其实毛利人参与新西兰政治的途径要比以往我们所看到的丰富变化得多。